Network-capable docking station

Abstract

A method performed by a docking station operable in a plurality of modes is disclosed. The method may include obtaining first data via a first interface of the docking station and second data via a second interface of the docking station, responsive to operating in a first mode of the plurality of modes. The first interface may be configured to couple the docking station to a computing device, and the second interface may be configured to communicate with a network. The method may also include obtaining third data via the second interface of the docking station, in lieu of the first interface, responsive to operating in a second mode of the plurality of modes. The method may further include selectively outputting the first data and the second data, or the third data, to a display based on whether the docking station operates in the first mode or the second mode.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method performed by a docking station operable in a plurality of modes, the method comprising:
 obtaining first data via a first interface of the docking station and second data via a second interface of the docking station, responsive to operating in a first mode of the plurality of modes, the first interface being configured to couple the docking station to a computing device and the second interface being configured to communicate with a network; 
 obtaining third data via the second interface of the docking station, in lieu of the first interface, responsive to operating in a second mode of the plurality of modes; and 
 selectively outputting, to a display via a third interface of the docking station different from the first interface and the second interface, the first data and the second data in response to the docking station operating in the first mode, or the third data in response to the docking station operating in the second mode, wherein the selectively outputting further comprises determining that the computing device is not coupled to the docking station and operating in the second mode in response to determining that the computing device is not coupled to the docking station. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the second data or the third data indicates a reservation status associated with the docking station. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the second data or the third data includes at least one of text data or bitmap data. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmitting, via the second interface, diagnostic information associated with the docking station. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmitting, via the second interface, diagnostic information associated with one or more peripherals coupled to the docking station. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmitting, via the second interface, diagnostic information associated with the computing device. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 obtaining, via the second interface, at least one of a firmware or software update. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 obtaining fourth data via the first interface, in lieu of the second interface, responsive to operating in a third mode of the plurality of modes; and 
 selectively outputting the fourth data to the display in response to the docking station operating in the third mode. 
 
     
     
       9. A controller for a docking station operable in a plurality of modes, the controller comprising:
 a processing system; and 
 a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processing system, cause the controller to:
 obtain first data via a first interface of the docking station and second data via a second interface of the docking station, responsive to operating in a first mode of the plurality of modes, the first interface being configured to couple the docking station to a computing device and the second interface being configured to communicate with a network; 
 obtain third data via the second interface of the docking station, in lieu of the first interface, responsive to operating in a second mode of the plurality of modes; and 
 selectively output, to a display via a third interface of the docking station different from the first interface and the second interface, the first data and the second data in response to the docking station operating in the first mode, or the third data in response to the docking station operating in the second mode, wherein the selectively outputting further comprises determining that the computing device is not coupled to the docking station and operating in the second mode in response to determining that the computing device is not coupled to the docking station. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The controller of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the second data or the third data indicates a reservation status associated with the docking station. 
     
     
       11. The controller of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the second data or the third data includes at least one of text data or bitmap data. 
     
     
       12. The controller of  claim 9 , wherein execution of the instructions further causes the controller to:
 transmit, via the second interface, diagnostic information associated with the docking station. 
 
     
     
       13. The controller of  claim 9 , wherein execution of the instructions further causes the controller to:
 transmit, via the second interface, diagnostic information associated with one or more peripherals coupled to the docking station. 
 
     
     
       14. The controller of  claim 9 , wherein execution of the instructions further causes the controller to:
 transmit, via the second interface, diagnostic information associated with the computing device. 
 
     
     
       15. The controller of  claim 9 , wherein execution of the instructions further causes the controller to:
 obtain, via the second interface, at least one of a firmware or software update. 
 
     
     
       16. The controller of  claim 9 , wherein execution of the instructions further causes the controller to:
 obtain fourth data via the first interface, in lieu of the second interface, responsive to operating in a third mode of the plurality of modes; and 
 selectively output the fourth data to the display in response to the docking station operating in the third mode. 
 
     
     
       17. A system comprising:
 a display; and 
 a docking station coupled to the display and operable in a plurality of modes, the docking station being configured to:
 obtain first data via a first interface of the docking station and second data via a second interface of the docking station, responsive to operating in a first mode of the plurality of modes, the first interface being configured to couple the docking station to a computing device and the second interface being configured to communicate with a network; 
 obtain third data via the second interface of the docking station, in lieu of the first interface, responsive to operating in a second mode of the plurality of modes; and 
 selectively output, to a display via a third interface of the docking station different from the first interface and the second interface, the first data and the second data in response to the docking station operating in the first mode, or the third data in response to the docking station operating in the second mode, wherein the selectively outputting further comprises determining that the computing device is not coupled to the docking station and operating in the second mode in response to determining that the computing device is not coupled to the docking station. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the second data or the third data indicates a reservation status associated with the docking station. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the second data or the third data includes at least one of text data or bitmap data. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the docking station is further configured to:
 transmit, via the second interface, diagnostic information associated with the docking station.